This exhibition showcases photographs from Telefónica's Archives, documenting the company's technological revolution in Spain from the mid-20th century onwards. It highlights both the technical innovations and the artistic depiction of societal shifts and modernization.
The exhibition ‘Una mirada a los archivos fotográficos de Telefónica’ (A Look at Telefónica's Photographic Archives) is presented at Traductores del Viento, a Center for Arts and Thought in Bustarviejo, Madrid. It features a selection of photographs from Telefónica's extensive photographic archives, alongside pieces from its Historical Technological Heritage. The works document the early 20th century, focusing on the technological revolution brought by telecommunications, such as telephone lines, public call boxes, and new company facilities. Photographers like Alfonso, José Gaspar, Contreras y Vilaseca, Juan Mora Insa, and Ramón Claret captured these innovations, often with a strong artistic sensibility, reflecting the fascination with new social habits, professions, and transformations in both rural and urban landscapes.
These images not only testify to technical progress associated with telecommunications but also convey a sense of modernity and advancement that has shaped Spanish identity. Beyond the photographs, the exhibition includes singular pieces such as early 20th-century telephones and a switchboard, highlighting the cumulative knowledge and human effort that led to the present day. The venue itself, Traductores del Viento, is a unique space dedicated to art and thought, situated in the Sierra Norte of Madrid, offering a contemplative environment for visitors.
